Kobe Bryant has only ever been a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, and that's all he ever wants to be.

Speaking on TWC SportsNet's Connected With..., the Black Mamba indicated that he was "born a Laker" and has every intention of "dying one" too, per Bleacher Report's Kevin Ding.

Eloquently put, but not at all surprising.

Almost two decades of Kobe's life has been spent representing the Purple and Gold. At 35 and still rehabbing a ruptured Achilles, his ties to and appreciation of the Lakers organization have never seemed stronger.

Luckily for Kobe, the Lakers continue to heart him back.

General manager Mitch Kupchak made it clear in September that the Mamba wanted to be a Laker for life, and made it equally known that the team was dedicated to making that happen.